29-Mar-2015
As wide as possible
I went as wide as I could with the support to provide a good platform for the skid plate to mount to.
04-Apr-2015
Aluminum skid plate
I picked up this 1/4" thick aluminum sheet for dirt cheap in the remnant section at my metal supply, it has some water stains on it but those will sand out with a DA sand if I choose to get rid of them. It's probably going to get all scratched up anyway so it recall doesn't matter what it looks like.
....I'll probably sand it...
04-Apr-2015
Cutting the skid plate
I cut out all of the straight lines with my Skilsaw and carbide blade, this combo cuts aluminum like butter.
09-Apr-2015
Added bars to the transfercase mount
I needed to add a couple of support tubes for the aluminum skid plate so I used some 1.5" DOM tube. These pieces are welded to the main support and actually bolt to the front support.
09-Apr-2015
Added front support
I built this front support for the skid plate the crosses right under the bell housing. The passenger side goes up and over the driveshaft
09-Apr-2015
Front support mounts to mating tubes
The front support tube uses a custom mounting tab and a welded strengthening tube to fasten itself to the rear support.
09-Apr-2015
Skid plate/Transfercase mount welded
The support is completely welded and now tabs need to be fitted to attach the skid plate.
10-Apr-2015
Transfercase/skid plate mount ready for some paint
Now that all of the welding is complete on the mount I can get some paint on it.
10-Apr-2015
Fresh paint
A couple coats of satin black paint are in order for some rust protection.
05-Apr-2015
Mock up of the skid plate
I used some foam poster board to make the pattern for my skid plate then simulated the bends that I needed.
05-Apr-2015
I know that it won't be seen...
...but I will see it!
The water spots were bugging me and although they were just cosmetic I wanted to remove them.
05-Apr-2015
Water stains gone
I just couldn't leave the water stains on the aluminum, it only took about 5 minutes to eliminate the stains with the help of a DA sander.